Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery (MIS)
Director of MIS Spine Surgery at Brown University. Dr. Basques uses keyhole techniques for less muscle damage, reduced blood loss, less pain, and faster recovery compared to traditional open surgery.
Overview
Minimally invasive spine surgery encompasses a range of advanced techniques that achieve the same surgical goals as traditional open surgery but through much smaller incisions with significantly less disruption to surrounding muscles and tissues. Instead of large incisions with extensive muscle stripping, MIS uses tubular retractors and specialized instruments to gently spread muscles apart (not cut them), creating a working channel to the spine. Dr. Basques is the Director of Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery at Brown University and one of New England's foremost experts in MIS techniques including endoscopic discectomy, MIS lumbar fusion (MIS TLIF), robotic surgery, and percutaneous instrumentation.
How It Works
Under X-ray or robotic guidance, Dr. Basques makes small incisions (often 1–2 centimeters). Sequential dilators gently spread the muscles apart rather than cutting them, creating a tubular corridor to the spine. Through this working channel, specialized instruments are used to perform the surgery — decompressing nerves, removing herniated discs, or placing spinal implants. The procedure is visualized either through the tubular retractor, a surgical microscope, or an endoscope. At the end, the dilators are removed, and the muscles naturally fall back into place, requiring only a few small stitches.
Benefits
Who Is a Candidate?
Most spine surgery patients are candidates for MIS techniques, including those with disc herniations, spinal stenosis, spondylolisthesis, degenerative disc disease, and spinal deformity. Factors like obesity, prior surgeries, and medical comorbidities do not necessarily preclude MIS. Dr. Basques evaluates each patient to determine the least invasive approach that safely achieves the best possible outcome.
Recovery & Aftercare
The core advantage of MIS is accelerated recovery. Less muscle trauma means less post-operative pain, reduced need for narcotic pain medication, shorter hospital stays, and faster return to daily activities. Many MIS procedures are outpatient (same-day discharge). Return to work and physical activities is generally 30–50% faster compared to open surgery, depending on the specific procedure.
Related Procedures
Ready to Discuss Your Options?
Dr. Basques will explain your procedure options and develop a personalized surgical plan. Serving Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and all of New England.
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